The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Concentration (07/24/08)
"It's all in your head," the doctor says after many examinations and tests.

How can that be? Each morning there is no sense of rest, and our body aches everywhere. We know something is wrong, but the physicians can't find any logical explanation to our symptoms and problems. He suggests we see a psychiatrist.

With doubt and hesitation, we finally make the appointment. We have nothing else to lose, but money. The counselor informs us that our symptoms indicate depression. Our problems do exist in our head, and our thinking is distorted. If we have been here, this can be worse than a diagnosis of some fatal disease.

What do we do now? If this describes us, then the first thing we need to realize is that the battle in our mind is nothing new since the beginning of mankind. The serpent came to Eve in the garden and convinced her that her Creator was withholding something good from her. She entertained this conversation with the enemy of her soul, considered seriously what he told her, and eventually ate the forbidden fruit. Now Eve is left struggling with guilt and shame. It consumes all of her thoughts. She doesn't know how to work past it.

Like Eve, we need a solution, and Paul tell us that we are "not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind". What is the purpose of this transformation? Paul tells us that we need this in order to "prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

How do we do this? We admit we need healing and seek a godly counselor for our depression. Secondly, we submit all of our thoughts to the examination of God's Word. Are we thinking about those things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, and worthy of praise according to God's standard of holiness and purity? What have we done in regards to our own sinful choices? We are told to confess, and He faithfully forgives.

How are we dealing with those sins committed against us? Are we forgiving or bearing anger and grudges in our relationship with others? When was the last time you prayed for the one who deeply offended you?

What steps will we take to live in a way that others may see Jesus living in and through us? This doesn't happen by chance, but by placing the Lord first in all things. We control our thinking, our attitudes, and in the end our actions. Our thoughts can be the Lord's, not if we try hard enough, but if we choose to renew our mind with God's truths. What will we meditate on today?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:8; 1 John 1:9
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 855 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Marlene Austin
08/01/08
Nice devotional describing thoughts which should occupy our mind. Thanks. :)
Helen Murray
08/01/08
Powerful thinking if we really decide to do it. This is the nuts and bolts of faith!
gayle jackson
08/02/08
We are thinking that we know too. We enjoyed reading, God Bless and thank you
Laury Hubrich 
08/04/08
Very good thoughts. Thank you so much for sharing.
Laury
Laury Hubrich 
08/04/08
Very good thoughts. Thank you so much for sharing.
Laury
Julie Seeto
08/05/08
This is true - many people have a problem with concentrating on the wrong things. I liked the line: "This doesn't happen by chance, but by placing the Lord first in all things." Good advice.
Loren T. Lowery
08/06/08
A great devotional with a profound truth - it is our thoughts that color our world and we must be warry of what we allow inside our minds and hearts.
Edmond Ng
08/07/08
An excellent devotional starting off from an unexpected angle, before entering into the core of the message. All of us certainly need to get control of our thinking to give our thoughts to the Lord. The question, 'What steps will we take to live in a way that others may see Jesus living in and through us?' is one I have been asking myself lately and given much thought to, in writing an article for a magazine on the topic of evangelism about the need to 'show' Christ in our lives, rather than just 'tell' others about Him if we hope to see them commit their lives to the Lord.